Supreme court denies plea to issue stay order on release of 'The Kerala Story'

The Kerala Story has been the talk of the town since the trailer of the film released. A Muslim body filed a fresh plea seeking a stay on releasing the film that they claimed was aimed at spreading hatred and enmity between different sections of society in India. The body argued that the film demeans the entire Muslim community and will endanger their lives and livelihood. The plea also claimed that the movie gives the impression that ordinary Muslim youngsters play an instrumental role in luring non-Muslims and radicalizing them.

The bench comprising Justices K.M. Joseph and B.V. Nagarathna observed that the censor board had already cleared the movie and that the petitioners should challenge the film's certification before the appropriate authority. 

The bench pointed out that the cinema exhibition entails a different process and that the plea to stay on the movie's release cannot be clubbed with the hate speech matters they were hearing.

The plea, filed through advocate Ejaz Maqbool, alternatively sought a direction to the Central Board of Film Certification to further identify incendiary scenes and dialogues for removal or show a disclaimer stating that it is a work of fiction and the characters in the movie bear no resemblance to any person living or dead.